Kansas City Chiefs’ latest 2026 NFL free agency addition brings rare trait that Andy Reid and Eric Bieniemy will love

The Kansas City Chiefs just landed a rare two-way player that they haven’t had since Dontari Poe.

AJ Schulte, Charles Goldman
Add as preferred source on Google
Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images

The Kansas City Chiefs’ early free agency moves don’t stop with RB Kenneth Walker III.

According to NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero, the Chiefs are set to sign New England Patriots DL Khyiris Tonga on a three-year deal worth $21 million with $14 million in guaranteed money. Tonga, who started opposite Walker in Super Bowl LX, is listed at 6-foot-2 and 335 pounds and known as a run-stuff defensive tackle. He is in his sixth season in the NFL after being drafted by the Chicago Bears in the 7th round of the 2021 NFL Draft.

“Tonga flew under the radar as a free agent pickup by the Patriots last season, and he was an underrated addition to the team all season long when he was healthy. Tonga helped shore up New England’s run defense and played a key role in keeping their linebackers clean and allowing Milton Williams and Christian Barmore to harass the quarterback. For a team looking to add a solid nose tackle up front, Tonga can still deliver as a base run defender.” – A to Z Sports’ AJ Schulte

Last season, Tonga started a career-high of eight NFL games, recording 24 tackles, two tackles for loss, and two passes batted. Where Tonga will probably be lacking on the defensive side of the ball is in the pass rush, with only 1.5 sacks during his NFL career, but an impressive 11.4% pass-rush win rate a season ago. He does, however, bring a rare trait to the table that the Chiefs haven’t seen in many years at the defensive tackle position.

New Chiefs DT Khyiris Tonga will be the next Dontari Poe in Kansas City

NFL Network insider Ian Rapoport says on the Insiders that Tonga’s agents indicated to him that he will also play fullback for the Chiefs.

Andy Reid has long valued the two-way player at the defensive tackle position, drawing up trick plays for Dontari Poe during his early days in Kansas City. Chiefs fans fondly remember “Hungry Pig Right,” where Poe scored a receiving touchdown, and “Bloated Tebow Pass,” where Poe threw a touchdown to TE Demetrius Harris. It seems like those trick plays, along with some traditional fullback looks, are back on the table in Kansas City. Remember, the Chiefs haven’t rostered a traditional fullback since Eric Bieniemy left as offensive coordinator.

This is a rare two-way win for Kansas City, where they’re improving their depth in the trenches with Mike Pennel and Derrick Nnadi set for free agency, but also giving themselves a wrinkle on offense that they’ve been lacking.

Related Articles